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11.24.2011

Here is my challenge to you this week as you really begin to get ready for Christmas:

Take a walk. Go outside and enjoy nature. Breathe in the wonderfully brisk air. Thank your Heavenly Father for His work. Be amazed at His creation. While on your small journey, pick up some flowers or branches that you can use to put in one of your empty vases. Pick up some pine cones and create your own holiday craft/decor. Let this bit of nature remind you of all the blessings you have,...all because of Jesus Christ.

What are you thankful for this week? No, really! What are you thankful for? Tell me!

I am thankful for my husband of almost four months. He is AMAZING! ...and I am not just saying that. He has more patience than any person I have ever met and he is possibly the best listener out of everyone I know!

I am thankful for my family, for they are not judgemental. They accept people for who they are. They do not dwell on each others mistakes. They love. They love A LOT. Their home is truly an escape from the troubles of this world!

I am thankful for my in-laws. They are wonderful and so much fun to be around! My in-laws are givers. They love to give. Their love really abounds. Family comes first. ♥

I am thankful for my friends that have stuck by me through thick and thin. They seriously show unconditional love!

I am thankful for SO much, but this post would be pages long if I shared all of them with you! However, I do want to share one more.

I am so humbled by the love my Savior Jesus Christ has for me. He teaches me things about Him every day,...even if I don't want to pay attention. He knows what I NEED and He hears the cries of my heart. He is the best listener, giver, protector, comforter, provider and friend that I have. I could do NOTHING without Him. I am so grateful for His love for me!

11.15.2011

I love scarves, but honestly I hate buying them. Even if I were to find a scarf that I really really really like, I probably wouldn't buy it. Unless it was maybe $5 or less. I need some scarves seeing as winter is on its way, so I figured I could cut my old white t-shirts and make another infinity scarf. One medium t-shirt (womens) is not a large enough scarf, so I used both t-shirts.

Here is my tutorial.

Step 1: Cut the bottom of the shirt off. From the end to the arm pits.

Step 2: Cut one side of the T-Shirt, opening it up to a rectangle of sorts.

Step 3: Repeat steps 1 & 2 with the second shirt.

Step 4: Sew together the sides of the T-Shirts. [_1_] <---> [_2_] The right side of t-shirt one to the left side of t-shirt 2. (Reminder: Turn the shirts inside out when sewing.)

Step 5: You should now have one giant rectangle of sorts. [____] Now sew the two ends together so that it makes one giant loop. (Reminder: Turn it inside out when sewing.)

If you are more of a perfectionist than I am, then you can hem up the edges in which you previously cut.

As you can probably see, my two t-shirts are different sizes. I did not even realize they were until I took that picture. I am not a perfectionist and I really only made the scarf so that I could have a scarf that would keep me warm. Therefore, I did not do much to make it even. I just went along with the flow. It seemed to work out well, though!

I am learning more and more that I am definitely someone who needs a schedule. I am what they call A.D.D. and I can be so much more productive if I plan to focus on certain chores during certain times.

Anyways, I am starting to understand what works best for me. One thing I learned in the past week, is to do my crafts first thing. That way, if I have to wait on something to dry I can go about my business and come back later. Basic. I know. I hate writing down a schedule because I have such a hard time following them and then when I look back at it in the evening I feel a little guilty knowing I didn't do "what I planned" to do. Christ has been so wonderful to me as to give me the clarity it takes to know what I should do and when I should do it.

Lately I have awakened to the smell of coffee and for some reason, the warmth that it brings (any warm drink, really) allows me to sit back and embrace the day. Then as I finish my coffee I start with my simplest of chores. Picking up trash, putting the dishes in the sink, making my bed...etc. Next I start/finish a diy project in which I dreamed about up until that point. The rest of my day involves chores on my to-do list and the occasion break where I can sit down, pick my feet up and possibly drink another cup of coffee. I choose to work all throughout the day and take a long break around dinner time so that I can spend time with my family. Possibly watch an episode of Chuck or NCIS. Family favorites. Then after everyone gets into bed, I take a few minutes to tidy the house so as to be clean when I wake up.

It has taken years to find a system that works for me. Not that this will work for the rest of my life, but as for now, it will do. ♥

Okay, enough of my rambling. I have had a few items in which I have really wanted to remake or reuse for a while now. Two white t-shirts and a lamp. So, I turned my t-shirts into an infinity scarf (one giant circle scarf) and I revamped my lamp.

11.13.2011

I do not use Photoshop.
I am an amateur and I cannot afford Photoshop. However, I do use a program called Photo Explosion which I found at Target for much less.
Anyways, I do not have much time to experiment with Photo Explosion. I dream of one day having a program that can help to make my pictures POP. I have had a few opportunities lately to really sit down at work on simply "perfecting" one photo. I tend to take a billion pictures of my best friend Rachel, so I thought I would play with one of hers.

Here is the original...

Here is my edited version (with Photo Explosion)...

I would just like to say that I did not whiten her eyes. I brightened, yes, but I did not make them extra white. Her eyes just naturally POP.

11.11.2011

So, these are possibly my favorite pastries/snacks to make! They are super easy and extremely delicious. I wanted to make something similar to the chocolate-filled croissants one can eat when visiting France.

See, in high school I went on a school field trip to Europe. (Yea I know, right!) My first time away from home I spent nine days in London, Paris and Barcelona. My first plane flight ever was from Atlanta to London. Eight hours!

Anyways, one of our hotels served breakfast and they had chocolate-filled croissants. Heaven! I have found them here in Georgia, but they have NEVER tasted the same. The croissants in France were warm and gooey. Sweet yet not overwhelming. I have always wanted to either find some here in America or learn how to make them myself.

These croissants are not exactly the same as the ones in France (of course!) but they are the closest thing to the delicious croissants of Paris that I have tasted in a while!

Here are the instructions:

Again, super easy. There are several steps but again, not difficult AT ALL.

Step 1: Set your oven to 350 degrees.

Step 2: Put some semi-sweet chocolate chips in a bowl and melt them in the microwave. This makes it easier to spread.

Step 3: Open your croissant dough and then spread a decent amount of chocolate onto the inside of the dough. If you put too much chocolate, it will pour out the ends. So, spread carefully. Don't worry, there will still be enough chocolate for it to taste AMAZING.

Step 4: Roll up the croissants, stretching them just a little bit as you go.

Step 5 (Optional): Spread a little bit of butter on the top of each croissant.

Step 6: Make a mix of cinnamon and sugar and pour it on top. I like a lot of cinnamon and sugar on top, enough to feel the texture. So, I pour A LOT on top. The more you pour, the more will stay once you take them off the tray.

Step 7: Put them in the oven until golden brown. I honestly never pay attention to how long they are in the oven. I just check them every couple of minutes until they appear to be cooked but not over-cooked.

Tips: Hersheys chocolate chips are cheaper than the brand I usually grab, Nesle. I use the large Pillsbury Croissants because it is more flexible than the GV brand.
Pictures taken by: Sunshine Photography

Tip: I use spreadable butter, the Brummel & Brown (Yogurt). Mostly because spreadable butter is easier to spread, haha! I am a little impatient when it comes to what I bake.
Pictures taken by: Sunshine Photography

My sincerest apologies. I have had, in short, a crazy and busy couple of weeks. I have not had much time to edit and even less time to post what I have edited. However, things are picking up (all thanks to God my Father). Not that I have anything less on my plate, but Christ has helped me to manage those things in a much more productive way. I have definitely more peace and clarity all because of my beloved Savior.

Here are a few more Green Family photos in which I promised a week ago. Again, my apologies.

The Greens are family friends. I have known them since I was a toddler. We went to the same church as children and went to Awanas together. Charis (the Greens second oldest) and I grew up as friends. We went to sleep-overs together and if I remember correctly, one of our last sleep-overs involved her birthday and the Lord of the Rings II. Haha! Great times!

I have taken pictures with Charis and her family previously and so when her mother asked if I could take pictures of all of her children, I was really excited! I love this family!

I had a ton of fun taking all of your pictures! You all are hilarious and brought me so much joy during this session! Thank you for allowing me this opportunity! I hope you enjoy!